New campaign launched to fight proposed vape tax

Consumer organisations New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) and vapers.org.uk have joined hands to launch the NoVapeTax website, urging UK vapers to resist the proposed tax on vape liquids.

The tax, set to take effect from October 2026, will significantly increase prices, hitting both smokers trying to quit and vapers avoiding a return to smoking, the organisations noted.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced plans to introduce an excise duty on vaping products in his Spring budget in March, to ‘discourage non-smokers from taking up vaping’.

The public consultation seeking views on the proposals for the design and implementation of the new UK-wide Vaping Products Duty is now underway, and will close on 29 May.

The rates being proposed are £1.00 per 10ml for nicotine free liquids, £2.00 per 10ml on liquids that contain 0.1-10.9 mg of nicotine per ml, and £3.00 per 10ml on liquids that contain 11mg of nicotine or more per ml.

“This is a huge increase and will also disproportionately affect those struggling with the cost of living. The UK government misunderstands the importance of high nicotine levels required for heavily dependent smokers,” the NNA said in a statement, announcing the launch of the website.

Consumers are urged to share their stories about how this tax will impact them and these will be published on the website.

The website also offers guidance to respond to the consultation and contact the local MP.